Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing except my own character, Muirgeann le Fay (Merissa Lovey), and all else belongs to the esteemed Ms. Rowling, who I thank most heartily for creating such a universe for all of us to enjoy and explore.

...

"Mrs. Malfoy, are you sure you want to come with me?" I asked for the thousandth time as we headed toward the stores. She smiled, making her far prettier than I would have expected from her usual, disgusted look.

"Of course, Hermione, and I've asked you to call me Narcissa. After all, I need to look for a Christmas gift for Draco as well." she assured me. "He's always so hard to buy for."

"I know. What do you buy the boy who has everything he wants?" I sighed exasperatedly. Narcissa got a strange look in her eyes and stopped walking.

"Well, there is a new Queen of Avalon. Perhaps she has some of their famous wine for sale." she suggested. "Draco enjoys a glass of fine wine and he certainly doesn't have any from Avalon."

"I can hardly go up to my old professor and ask her to sell me wine, Mrs.—Narcissa. Perhaps I'll just get him a nice new robe. Quidditch robes! He'd love a new set of them." I exclaimed, heading toward the right store.

"You're right. He would love them. I'll have to think of something else I could get him." Narcissa replied, her lips pursed in thought. She waited with me while I bought his robes and then pulled me into a women's clothing store. "Enough about him, Hermione. Let's go shopping for us. I haven't had girl time in years."

"That sounds heavenly." I agreed. Although I thought it was a bit strange that we should spend so much time together, I found myself laughing and joking with Narcissa easily. She's a good person, and easy to get along with. I don't think I'll have to be afraid that she wouldn't be pleased with Draco asking me to stay with him, but perhaps I should make sure. "Narcissa, are you glad Draco and I are together?"

"Glad? Hermione, you are, by far, the best girl he's brought home yet. Lucius won't think so, but we'll win him to you soon enough. The fool needs to realise nobody cares about blood anymore. If anything, it would be beneficial. Of course, that isn't why Draco's interested, but it'll be an added benefit, should you wish to give me any grandchildren." Narcissa informed me, restraining her smile for half a second before she began to laugh. "Just don't bring me any soon. I'm too young to be a grandmother."

"I can promise you that." I assured her, laughing with her. "The last thing we need is a child. We've still got half a year of school left, let alone starting our careers!"

"Good, Hermione. I'm glad to see that your priorities straight. If you do have children in the next five years, could you ask them to call me aunt instead of grandma, though?" Narcissa asked.

"I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem." I told her, rolling my eyes at the joke. If I'm lucky, she'll really be my mother-in-law in a few years. It would be perfect.

...

"Thank you so very much for volunteering to help, Mr. Malfoy. You mustn't tell any of my other students anything you see, though. I want the grounds to be a surprise." le Fay said as she led me through the mists into the new school's gardens. "As you can see, I've finished most of the grounds. I've got some tapestries to hang up. You can do that, if don't care."

"Sounds perfect." I agreed, awed by the contrast of the vividly coloured plants and the stark white building. We stepped into the entrance and she stopped and turned toward me, tossing her hair over her shoulder out of her way.

"The tapestries are laying over there against the wall. Put them where they seem appropriate. If you need anything, the Shades will bring it. Any questions?" she asked. I shook my head. "Very well, Mr. Malfoy. I'll be working in the dormitories if you need to find me."

"Okay." I agreed. She glided down the hall, grey dress billowing behind her. I turned toward the tapestries she'd pointed out and levitated them in front of me, examining them curiously. Knowing the island, they're probably magical as well. Avalon was known for its healers, wines, and textiles, after all. Is that Beowulf? That's Tristan and Isolde, I think, I thought as I began attaching the tapestries to the wall at ideal places. After another moment, I stopped to stare at one in confusion. That's Muirgeann. Who is she standing with?

"Draco, have you seen Muirgeann? She's been avoiding me." Snape asked, walking toward me from the entrance.

"She's in the dormitories, I think. Professor, have you seen this tapestry before?" I asked, pointing toward the one in question.

"No, I haven't. Morgana and Merlin, it seems." he stated, looking over the image closely. "Yes, that's who it is. He has her hair and eyes."

"Professor?" I asked, giving him a confused look.

"Morgana and Merlin were Muirgeann's parents. She had her father's hair and eyes when she first came to Hogwarts." he explained. "In this instance, the rumours seem to have been correct. They were her parents. Death hid her until it was time for the Blessed Isles and their Queen to return."

"Oh." I stated dumbly, thinking through all the implications behind such a strange story.

"Draco, what are your plans after you finish school?" Snape asked suddenly.

"I planned to recover what my father has lost. I thought about politics, but Hermione wants to be Minister and I don't want to get in her way." I told him.

"Muirgeann will be happy to know you both have something in mind. She worries about the two of you more than she should." he said quietly, glancing down the hall she had disappeared earlier. "Speaking of school, will you be joining us for the final semester? We aren't expecting a large number of your year to return, since we aren't using the testing system the Ministry was using."

"No testing system? How will the marks be determined?" I asked.

"Personal recommendations given by your professors. Under the influence of truth serum, of course." he explained. "Muirgeann insists that we keep some Avalonian traditions, like personal sponsorship of students, but I insist on adding more safeguards, like the potion. Between the two of us, we have an adequate system planned. Theoretically, of course."

"Of course. I think Hermione and I will both be returning. We need to finish this part of our lives before we can start the next." I told him. He nodded.

"Good. You are both wise for your age. Speaking of wise, I believe it would be best if I find my Queen before she thinks of any further insanities to try to institute." he said with a slight smirk. I watched him disappear down the hallway before returning to my task. I wonder how long I should wait to ask Hermione to marry me. It's too early now, of course, and would be even if we didn't have school to worry about. Perhaps when she wins and becomes Minister. No, that may take too long. Maybe I should just wait and let things progress naturally, then. I know we'll be together in the end.

...